Wedding Planning

History of Bridesmaids

If you've been asked to host a bridal shower or bachelorette party, scenes from the movie Bridesmaids or Batchelorette may be playing in an endless loop in your head (and maybe even giving you nightmares).

Stop it. You aren't required to throw a hugely expensive party. Nor are you required to throw an all out debauched Vegas vacation. So breathe ....

A bridal shower is really quite low-key

In terms of entertainment, a bridal shower is actually a pretty low-key party to throw. The main entertainment is the opening of presents and you don't need, or want, to plan too much that will overshadow the gifts.

That being said, plenty of entertainers can complement a traditional shower, while giving it a modern, fun vibe. If your bride has a favorite singer, actor or politician then inviting a celebrity impersonator as a “guest” can really make the shower personal and fun for her. A caricature artist or silhouette artist can create portraits as party favors while the bride is opening presents. This gives those guests who are tired of oohing and ahhing over toasters something to do, without distracting from the bride.

If your shower needs an ice breaker activity consider an astrologer, fortune teller, or tarot card reader to do horoscopes or readings, as opposed to the traditional round of bridal bingo.

If you're planning a bachelorette party and want to save money by having the first few rounds of drinks at home, consider a karaoke machine to loosen up the guests, or a henna artist to explain some of the henna wedding rituals and decorate the guests in a way sure to get attention when you go out. However - henna is probably best avoided if the bachelorette party is close to the wedding, as it take a long time to fade and you probably don't want it noticeable in pictures!

Whatever you do for your bride, make sure to keep it within your budget and your bride's style. No one said being a bridesmaid meant going broke!

Takeaways from this

Hire a celebrity impersonator to mingle as a "guest"

A caricature artist would be fun and the drawings would work as favors

You can go for a bold splash floral or something a little more subtle in a faded chintz.

Mix block shades with florals

The key is not to overdo it. In fact, some of your maids may rather not wear a floral inspired gown. In which case, dress them in a block color that complements the floral fabrics (as we've shown here). On the floral gowns you can pick out greens, blues, purples, yellows or even whites or ivory for your other maid's dress.

Mix it up a little bit as well with different necklines. However, we suggest that you keep the base fabric similar - so the weights are the same. Also the style of gown. Florals tend to suit something more flowing than fitted, so choose block colors that echo the design.

The strapless Dessy gown on the left also comes with detachable spaghetti straps, whereas the gown on the right has a flattering off the shoulder ruffled neckline, that will be perfect for girls with smaller busts.

Here we show you how to work color play. The chiffon gown on the left in a soft green works beautifully with the subtle florals on the right. We've chosen green but you could match with deep pinks, greens or even a gentle apricot shade.

Blues are a perennial wedding favourite. This color combo would suit a romantic wedding perfectly. The dress on the left is so pretty, we're sure it won't be left languishing in the cupboard after the bridesmaid has done her duty. The windsor blue gown on the right has flattering pleating and sets off the floral fabric to perfection.

As for accessories, if you're dressing your bridesmaids in floral gowns, then don't overdo the flower motifs on shoes, earrings, bags. Best to keep things plain and simple. However, for your maids in block colours, you can include the floral theme, maybe with some floral necklaces, drop earrings and a corsage?

You have the bachelorette party, the bridal shower and several appointments to the dress shop for the bridesmaid dresses with your girls, but have you and your bridesmaids spent a day or a even just a few hours doing something not necessarily wedding related?

Here are some ideas that may be a good way to not only say thank you to your bridesmaids, but also give you guys a chance to have some fun!

1. Book some concert tickets: What kind of music do all you girls love? Do you fancy seeing Taylor Swift strutting her stuff or Justin Bieber? Book some tickets for you and the girls to see somebody live.

2. Watch some live sport: Of course, this depends on the season in which you're marrying. You could go to a ball game, watch some basketball, or head for the sun to watch some golf. It's a great way to bond and you'll enjoy seeing your heroes and heroines up close.

3. A Day of Pampering: While this can easily be a good bachelorette party idea, this is also a good plan for few hours of relaxing bliss. Treat your girls to get their nails done the day before the wedding, or maybe a few hours at a spa for massages and facials. This is a memorable and peaceful way to spend time with your bridesmaids.

4. Go camping and hiking; Are you and all your girls a bunch that doesn't mind spending a couple days with Mother Nature? Go camping! And really go camping, disconnect from the world and really enjoy each other's company. Toasted marshmallows round the firepit, late night discussions by firelight. Perfection!

5. Learn to do something new; Book a group lesson for you all. There are some great private group cookery lessons - you could learn to cook vegetarian, Italian, Vietnamese, some new dishes for a barbecue, or how to bake different types of bread. Or you could book a wine tasting event or maybe a crafting event - or flower arranging.

Any of these ideas are good for bachelorette parties, so if you're the maid of honor trying to figure out what you should do with the bride for her bachelorette party, consider some of these suggestions!

All words that have a wonderful association with relationships and, of course, weddings.

In fact some may even go as far as to say that the color green creates equilibrium between the head and the heart. No surprise then that it is seen to be an emotionally positive color, enabling us to love and nurture ourselves and others unconditionally." Hmm,' I hear you ponder, 'perhaps I should give it a go for my wedding!"

Real life wedding days in dark green

There are some great choices going on here. We love the way some of the brides have chosen different styles of Dessy bridesmaid frocks for their maids but in the same color. Different necklines held together by a common shade.

Colors to take a look at include; Hunter, Hampton and Emerald. You can see the full range of dark green bridesmaid dresses here. Getting some different color swatches in different fabrics might be an idea too.

If you're having a winter wedding, then dark green can work particularly well. Contrast it against rich dark reds and berry shades. Make sure that your bridesmaids are wrapped against the cold in shrugs and pashminas.

In spring and summer, dark greens work beautifully against spring flowers such as daffodils and narcissi. And in summer, dark green and white are a dazzling combination.

Just remember to take note of the season in which you're marrying when choosing your bridesmaid's dresses. In summer, lighter fabrics will work best, such as chiffons. In winter you can choose heavier satins.

If you're looking to theme your wedding, then James Bond style has a lot to offer

You could offer a roulette table at your wedding reception for your guests to toy with. As for music - well there are some classic soundtracks to the James Bond films.

Having a destination wedding, then James Bond style is easy - just watch some of the classic Bond movies like Doctor No that were filmed in tropical paradises. (You don't have to arrive for your wedding in a bikini, rising out of the sea, like Bond girls Halle Berry and Ursula Andress though!) You also don't have to have sharks swimming in a pool!

Mix the two together and your maids can choose the shade that suits them best.

Talk to your florist about flower options. We're thinking pink peonies, blush pink roses, forget-me-nots, cornflowers, delphiniums. Don't feel you have to have exact color matches, it looks much better to mix it up a bit.

Same applies with your bridesmaid frocks. Windsor blue, periwinkle and blush are some color options from Dessy, but all these shades can be mixed and matched together and will blend beautifully. (Think a sort of ombre effect).

If you'd like some help choosing your colors and working out which combo you like best, then check Dessy's Pantone color tools, which give you the right shades so you can communicate them to your florist, bridal designer, venue, cake decorator - and whoever needs to know.

You don't get a second chance with your wedding photographs. It's a one-time only show. So getting the right individual to capture those precious images for all time is crucial.

But how can you find the right photographer who's going to get it just right? We've asked around a few recently married brides who have come up with the following tips.

If you are getting married at a hotel, don't feel pressured to use the in-house photographer. They are usually not the very best so you could end up disappointed.

Check the photographer's website, any blogs they may have, and any social media sites. Check their reviews.

Meet with the photographer in person. This is very important. You need to know that you can establish a rapport and communication with them. It will give you a chance to look at more of their work and see if working with them will be easy.

Meet with more than one potential photographer, so you can compare styles, prices and packages.

Make sure each potential photographer has your wedding date available before you commit to them.

Make sure the photographer you meet with will be the same person who will be shooting your wedding. You don't want a different person turning up on your wedding day who has a completely different style.

When interviewing potential photographers, look to see if they actually can do what you want them to do in terms of style and the overall look of your wedding.

Look at a variety of images from the photographer. When one of my relatives got married, she saw only the photographer's best work and on her wedding day she received less than the best from the photographer she chose.

Can you afford the photographer you have chosen? Be clear with what you can and cannot afford. Make sure you are clear about what you want and what you will be getting with the wedding budget you have.

Are you getting married on a hot tropical beach somewhere? Or surrounded by the beautiful colors of the desert? Somewhere that it's likely to be humid and warm?

Most, if not all, summer brides want the sun to shine brightly on their wedding days - the wedding photographs look wonderful, gardens look fabulous, everybody is relaxed and you can continue the party outside into late in the summer night.

But what if you're marrying in a really hot destination? How will your bridesmaids cope? How can you ensure that they feel comfortable in the dresses they're wearing when the temperature gauge is up in the nineties?

To help you along, we've picked out some Dessy bridesmaid dresses that would work well in a tropical setting. Remember to think about your colors too. If you're marrying in dazzling sunlight then bright colors usually work best - think hot pinks, purples, emerald greens and oranges. Jewel colors will look incredible.

There are many different strapless and sleeveless necklines to choose from, so your maids will find something flattering for them which they love.

It's also in this setting that the Dessy Twist Wrap Dress comes into its own - particularly in its latest incarnation with a chiffon overskirt. Your girls can drape it as they feel comfortable and it packs in a suitcase beautifully. It's also the sort of frock they'll want to wear over and over again after your wedding day.

We've picked out some of the most chic and stylish updos so that you can browse through them for both yourself - and maybe your bridesmaids

Updos are fairly weather proof

In spring and summer the weather can be unpredictable. If it's humid or there is rain about, your beautifully shiny locks could suffer from the dreaded 'frizz' effect. Wedding updos are a simple way to ensure to avoid this and ensure you look your best during the ceremony and long after, whatever is going on with the weather.

Some stars who have recently popped up on the red carpet with perfected looks include Jessica Alba, Beyonce and Alexa Chung among others. Whether it is a loose chignon or an over-sized French twist, these looks are sure fire winners.

So, if you find yourself looking for inspiration - whether it be a braid or a bun - look no further that a recent red carpet! And here's a little bit of a tip - go ahead and take a (little) risk. After all, how awesome does Jessica Biel look with her Rapunzel-style braid? Braids are right there right now.

Go talk to your hairstylist and see what they recommend. If your hair isn't so long, there are still ways you can get an updo, with the use of hair extensions.

Take a photograph of your wedding dress with you so your stylist can see the neckline. If there's a lot of detail, they may suggest something very simple as an updo. If your dress is plain, then your updo could feature braids and accessories.

You'll also need to consider your earrings if you're planning on an updo - they can be either chandelier style or simple studs. Experiment to see what will look best.

On your big day you want to have happy, smiling bridesmaids in your photographs. Fabulous pictures that show your squad looking and feeling great.

One way of making sure your girls feel that way is by making sure that they're wearing the right dresses. For them (as well as you). So here's how to get it right.

Think about your own wedding dress

Your bridesmaid dresses need to work with your wedding gown. So if you're wearing a boho kind of a dress, don't dress the girls up in formal structured dresses in fabrics like satin. Let it flow. Think about it. Will the looks you have in mind for your bridesmaids work with your wedding dress or do you need to consider making some alternations to your ideas?

What about the weather?

When are you getting married? You won't want to dress your girls in flowing chiffon in the depths of a snowy winter. Or heavier satins for a beach wedding. Think carefully about the style and materials and the time of year (you can order fabric swatches from Dessy while you make your mind up).

Do you really want your girls to all wear the same?

No two girls are exactly the same shape and size and each one will have features they are happy to show off and others they'd prefer to disguise. So you really don't need to dress your girls all the same.

Of course you can have the same color and the same length of dress, but mix it up a bit with different necklines and possibly waistlines. Your squad will thank you for it.

Allow time to get your bridesmaid dresses

If you're ordering from Dessy, we recommend that you order your dresses so that you receive them at least two weeks before your wedding day.

We have a big selection of in-stock bridesmaid dresses that are shipped 1-3 business days from the date of the order, whilst our special order dresses ship around 9-10 weeks from the time you place your order.

Wear shoes of the right height when trying on dresses

When your girls are trying out different dresses, make sure they are wearing shoes. If they're wearing heels on your big day, they'll make a difference to how the dress hangs (and the length of course). So take along heels of a similar height. Same thing if they're wearing flats - you need to see how the dresses look with flats - girls can change their minds you know!

Think about colors

There are some colors which make a girl look fantastic and others that make her look washed out. Ask your girls which colors they feel particularly suit them and which don't. Of course, at the end of the day it's up to you but you might like to moderate your ideas a little (you could have an ombre effect or dress girls in two different shades, which looks very chic).